What Does it Take to Be a Sports Medicine Physician?
Position Description Diagnose, treat, and help prevent injuries that occur during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities.
A Day in the Life of a Sports Medicine Physician
- Evaluate and manage chronic pain conditions.
- Conduct research in the prevention or treatment of injuries or medical conditions related to sports and exercise.
- Prescribe medications for the treatment of athletic-related injuries.
- Provide coaches and therapists with assistance in selecting and fitting protective equipment.
- Provide education and counseling on illness and injury prevention.
- Examine and evaluate athletes prior to participation in sports activities to determine level of physical fitness or predisposition to injuries.
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What Every Sports Medicine Physician Should Know
When polled, Sports Medicine Physicians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Director of Sports Medicine, Partner, Orthopedic and Spine Specialists
- Nonsurgical Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician
- Orthopaedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine Specialist
- Orthopaedic Surgeon, Director of Sports Medicine
- Team Physician
Job Outlook for Sports Medicine Physicians
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 372,400 jobs in the United States for Sports Medicine Physician. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 42,300 new jobs for Sports Medicine Physician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 14,300 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Sports Medicine Physician are Arizona, Alaska, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Connecticut, Rhode Island, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Sports Medicine Physician Average Salary
The average yearly salary of a Sports Medicine Physician ranges between $60,280 and $208,000.

Sports Medicine Physicians who work in Alaska, Arizona, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.
How much do Sports Medicine Physicians make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $183,510 |
Alaska | $244,220 |
Arizona | $229,090 |
Arkansas | $165,290 |
California | $208,740 |
Colorado | $219,310 |
Connecticut | $221,870 |
Delaware | $216,600 |
District of Columbia | $182,910 |
Florida | $205,020 |
Georgia | $235,060 |
Hawaii | $228,470 |
Idaho | $241,670 |
Illinois | $183,780 |
Indiana | $237,470 |
Iowa | $219,300 |
Kansas | $191,430 |
Kentucky | $223,770 |
Louisiana | $183,920 |
Maine | $257,550 |
Maryland | $196,210 |
Massachusetts | $207,990 |
Michigan | $181,760 |
Minnesota | $245,040 |
Mississippi | $174,340 |
Missouri | $203,440 |
Montana | $247,260 |
Nebraska | $161,880 |
Nevada | $227,500 |
New Hampshire | $275,840 |
New Jersey | $208,820 |
New Mexico | $229,100 |
New York | $171,060 |
North Carolina | $198,040 |
North Dakota | $266,510 |
Ohio | $212,160 |
Oklahoma | $155,130 |
Oregon | $202,750 |
Pennsylvania | $195,810 |
Rhode Island | $209,580 |
South Carolina | $185,210 |
South Dakota | $227,710 |
Tennessee | $231,960 |
Texas | $199,370 |
Utah | $218,210 |
Vermont | $176,520 |
Virginia | $199,080 |
Washington | $239,080 |
West Virginia | $222,270 |
Wisconsin | $239,610 |
Wyoming | $234,610 |
What Tools do Sports Medicine Physicians Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Sports Medicine Physicians may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR
- Greenway Medical Technologies PrimeSUITE
- GalacTek ECLIPSE
- Benchmark Systems Benchmark Clinical EHR
- Epic Practice Management
- GE Healthcare Centricity Practice Solution
- Cerner PowerWorks Practice Management
- CareCloud Central
- Automatic Data Processing AdvancedMD EHR
- IOS Health Systems Medios EHR
- Kareo Practice Management
- McKesson Practice Plus
- Modernizing Medicine Practice Management
- NextGen Healthcare NextGen Practice Management
- Vitera Healthcare Solutions Vitera Intergy
Becoming a Sports Medicine Physician
Education needed to be a Sports Medicine Physician:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Sports Medicine Physician?

Who Employs Sports Medicine Physicians?

The table below shows the approximate number of Sports Medicine Physicians employed by various industries.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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